Dilantin and seizures

I was diagnosed with epilepsy thirteen years ago. I never had seizures where I would pass out; in the beginning I only had vibrations and this lasted a few days. After several occurrences and ignoring the doctor, I finally went on Neurontin and that worked fairly well for ten years. Over the last three years, however, I've been having periods where I become confused for twenty seconds or so and then come back to reality. I know it's happening and when I try to communicate it's mostly incoherent nonsense.

Since these seizures have picked up, I've tried every medicine in the book! Dopomax, Tegretol, Kepra; you name it, I've tried it. Finally I asked my doctor about Dilantin; I remember my cousin taking it when we were young. I remember him having to get his gums cut and stuff like that but I was out of options.

With the medicine, I seem to be doing okay. I still have periods of confusement, usually at night but when you teach 7th graders that's bound to happen! My question pertains to possible hemorrhoids or skin tags. Has Dilantin been evaluated in terms of causing such discomfort? I had the actual surgery years ago, so my rhoids have been under control for the most part, however, since I started Dilantin, it seems like my butt is always sore.

To the person above me who claims Dilantin is being used as a "crutch" for people, congratulations on graduating with honors and being a nurse, but please do not assume your non-reaction to this medication is how we all react. I was diagnosed with seizures at age 20 and have been on dilantin for 2 years. At 22 years old, I have no recollection of my junior or senior proms, my high school graduation, many huge events in my life. I can't recall even ATTENDING these functions. Dilantin has erased my life from my memory. I had a 3.8 GPA in high school, did not do drugs or drink. No actions that would have caused my memory loss. Now, I stutter, I am constantly tired, forgetting things very often, studying is nearly impossible and I have no sex drive at age TWENTY TWO. My doctor refuses to change my medication insisting side effects of other medications would be even worse. I've considered weaning myself off Dilantin to end these effects but am afraid to do so. I wish we could all be as symptom free as you have been, but please do not look down upon those who have legitimate side effects.

I have just been reading the list of, what I am considering to be "possible", side effects from Dilantin . Doesn't everyone, whether on Dilantin or no drugs at all experience headaches, nausea, stomach pains or depression from time to time?
After being on this medication for over 30 years there are some things which I've experienced. Just about everyone complains of hyperplasia but it has been my experience that if I maintain a clean healthy mouth, there is no hyperplasia. If, for one day, I do not brush my teeth, hyperplasia sets in immediately & it then takes a week or so to get it under control. So, brush, brush & brush your teeth.
As far as memory loss or difficulty learning, I suppose it happens to everyone at one time or another. However I have graduared from high school with honours & became a registered nurse (top 5 in my class of 56) all while I was on Dilantin.
The only true adverse side effect from taking Dilantin for over 30 years which I experience is that whenever I am tired, my speech can easily slur. I am very aware of this & it's become habit to pay close attention to my pronounciation & correct it so I may articulate normally. Not a big deal & a very small price to pay.
I'm not one for pity trips or blaming my seizures or medications for my downfalls in life. I am so grateful to have my seizures under control & hate to think where I would be today if not for Dilatin. Remember, if you look for it , you will likely find it. So try not to look for all these adverse side effects (crutches)& see the benifits. We have enough to handle keeping this under control & educating the sometimes ignorant world.
I took control of the epilepsy that attacked my system. I would never allow it to control me. Good luck to all of you. Sincerely :)

I have been on dilantin for 11 days, due to a grand mall seizuire at the grocery store. I also have MS and sleep apnea, I don't know if it is my fear of sleeping, or that I have insomnia. I can't go to sleep until 3:00 a.m. but I find myself very tired during the day. I have found that food turns me off, and I have to eat something I'm really hungry for or not eat at all. I had to go back to the ER because I was dehydrated and acute bronchitis and possible petite mall seizure. My dilantin level was 3 and was told it should be at least 10. I was on 200mg, now on 300mg. Anyone know what proper amount should be (is it according to weight and height) Does anyone else have MS with their seizures
Paula

I've been on Dilantin for approx. 5 years now because I began having seizures after being involved in an airplane crash when I was 14. I suffered a ABI (Aquired Brain Injury) which has had a considerable effect on me. A considerable problem with this is trying to separate what symptoms are a result of what condition.
Since I've been taking Dilantin - I've noticed first of all my gums tend to be a little more sensitive than normal, bleeding at times when I brush.
My ability to learn new activities & study is also diminished, I find I have to study twice as hard & have to do things twice as much as the average person before it finally "sinks in". To the un-trained eye, this can be easily mistaken for laziness or lack of motivation. I had always attributed these learning difficulties to my brain injury, but after looking into Dilantin side-effects, I've discovered that diminished learning has also been associated with taking this drug.
Another side-effect I've noticed is a diminished sex-drive. Only recently have I started looking into this, but I've dealt with this for the past couple of years, and it has really started to have an effect on my relationship with my wife.

I was wondering if anyone has heard about Dilantin having sexual side effects. Because of the Dilantin I started taking Depo-Provera for my birth control, and I don't know which one could be affecting my sex drive. I have since stopped the Depo but am still waiting for my sex drive to return.

hi. i have been taking dilantin for approx. 9 years. since i been on this medication i have problems with constanly feeling tired, loss of motorvation due to lack of energy, staying focused on task at hand, and i have problems with hemroids from the dilantin. i been told there nothing that can be done for that cause the dilantin is needed to be taken. theres nothing that really can be done for feeling tired cause thats whats supposed to be what happens to prevent seizures from occuring. i get wore out quickly when working and when trying to be active in sports.

Guest, Hi!I have nephew who is now 3 rs. old, who has been on Dilantin for 8 months or more. At the time that he is given a dose , it is no more than 30 minutes that the medication causes him to throw a terrible Temper Tantrum that lasts the entire day. These Temper Tantrums are worse than any normal child could ever have. Throughout the day he is having a Tantrum in spurts. some of the things he does are the following : biting, hitting, punching, screaming, throwing himself on the floor ect:. His seizures are not chronic and he was put on the medication for at least a year to take a precaution in the case that he should have them more often. This letter is more for some more information to the readers so that the can get some help if their loved one is having these problems.